In mid-December, saigonchildren’s Special Needs Education programme proudly organised a two-day gathering with the participation of 20 therapists working in the field of special needs education from regions we support, including Hồ Chí Minh City, Tiền Giang, and Cần Thơ.
This first-of-its-kind event was not only an opportunity for relaxation and socialising with like-minded individuals in an appealing and conducive location but also a platform for participants to share their work, exchange professional knowledge, and discuss experiences within their field on how to support children with special needs.
In addition to professional development, this gathering also supported the wellbeing of the therapists. Recognising the unique challenges of this work, which often exposes therapists to a wide range of stressors, we conducted a dedicated session on stress management, encouraging discussions about effective methods for emotional regulation and maintaining mental health while supporting children with special needs on their learning journeys.
The gathering concluded with numerous positive and meaningful pieces of feedback from participants. Saigonchildren hopes that such events will continue to be held annually to foster connections within the professional community for more robust development. It also plays an important role in our Special Needs Education Programme’s (SNEP) working plan, as we expand our holistic early intervention model to local partners in the near future.